Shared Flashcard Set

Details

English Literary Terms
chapters 1-3
19
Language - English
Not Applicable
03/10/2004

Additional Language - English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Moral
Definition
A paraphasable message or lesson implied or directly stated in a literary work, commonly a moral is stated at the end of a fable
Term
Fable
Definition
A brief often humorous narrative told to illustrate a moral. The characters in fables are traditionally animals whose personality traits symbolize human traits. A fable often concludes by summarizing its moral message in an abstract moral
Term
Tale
Definition
A short narrative without a complex plot. Tales are an ancient form of narrative found in folklore and traditional tales often contain supernatural elements. A tale is different from a short story by its tendency toward lesser developed characters
Term
Parable
Definition
A brief usually allegorical narrative that teaches a moral. in parables unlike fables the moral themes are implicit and can often be inturpered in many ways.
Term
Tall Tale
Definition
A humorous short narrative that provides a wildly exaggerated version of events. Origonally an oral form the tall tale assumes that its audience knows the narrator is distorting the events.
Term
Fairy Tale
Definition
A traditional form of a short narrative folklore originally transmitted orally which features supernatural chracters. Fariy tales often feature a hero who seems destined to achieve some desirable fate
Term
Exposistion
Definition
The opening portion or a narrative. In the exposition the scene is set the protagonist is introduced and the author discloses any other background information necessary to allow the reader to understand and relate to the events that are to follow
Term
In medias res
Definition
refers to a narrative device of beginning a story midway in the events it depicts before explaining the context or preceding actions
Term
Complication
Definition
When a new conflict is introduced
Term
Protagonist
Definition
The central character in a literary work. The protagonist usually initiates the main action of the story, often in conflict with the antagonist.
Term
Hero
Definition
The central character in a narrative. one who has a positive moral
Term
Antagonist
Definition
The most significant character or force that opposes the protagonist in a narrative. The antagonist may be another character society itself a force of nature or even conflicting inpulses within the protagonist.
Term
Foreshadowing
Definition
The technique of arranging events and information in such a way that later events are prepared for or shadowed beforehand. The author may introduce specific words images or actions in order to suggest significant later ecents.
Term
Crisis
Definition
The part of the story when the crucial action decision or realization must be made, making the turning point or reversal of the protagonists fortunes
Term
Climax
Definition
turning point, highest tension, where the outcome of the story is determined
Term
denouement
Definition
the conclusion or resolution
Term
flashback
Definition
A scene relived in the characters memory. falshbacks can be related by the narrotor in a summary or they can be experienced by one of the characters themselves.
Term
Epiphany
Definition
A moment of insight, discovery, or revelation by which a characters life is greatly altered
Term
Omniscience
Definition
A narrator who has the ability to move freely through the consciousness of any character.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!